AG's office warns public of utility payment scam

September 27. 2013 9:40PMCONCORD — The state Attorney General’s Office and the Public Utilities Commission are warning of a scam in which con artists try to dupe people into believing they are utility companies looking to collect on past due payments.

Callers say a customer has a balance on their utility account and threatens the customer with disconnection unless a payment is made that day, according to a release from the agencies.“Typically, the calls are made to small business customers late in the day and the customer is given only a few hours to make the payment,” the release said. “These calls are not coming from New Hampshire utility companies. Utility customers who are scheduled for disconnection due to nonpayment receive written notice a minimum of 14 days prior to any proposed disconnection date and the notice includes information about action they can take to maintain service.”Customers should not provide any financial information, such as credit card or bank account numbers, and can report the calls to the PUC at (800) 852-3793 or the Attorney General’s Office at (888) 468-4454.